Illnesses and Disabilities

Learning disabilities

People with learning disabilities have normal, or above normal, intelligence. But their brains are "wired" in a way that makes it hard to gain the basic skills needed to do well at some or all of the following:

Listening

Speaking

Reading

Writing

Math

For instance, some children find reading difficult because they see some letters as reversed or rotated. As a result, they confuse the letters d, b, p, q, and g. Other children have trouble reading because they do not understand the idea that letters in words follow each other in a certain order. They might see the word "dog" and read it as "god."

There are many types of learning disabilities. But learning disabilities are not the same as intellectual disabilities or other disabilities that might interfere with learning, such as ADHD or autism.

Learning disabilities are lifelong issues. But certain teaching strategies can help children with learning disabilities overcome the challenges they face. In fact, having a learning disability has not kept many noteworthy Americans from excelling in science, medicine, business, the arts, and other fields. Some people with learning disabilities reach adulthood without ever finding out they have a learning disability. If you suspect you have a learning disability, talk to your doctor. You're never too old to get help.

NINDS Dyslexia Information Page - Dyslexia is a brain-based type of learning disability that specifically impairs a person’s ability to read. This online publication offers information about what dyslexia is, treatment, prognosis and the latest research being done.